very hungry caterpillar

On its 40th anniversary The Very Hungry Caterpillar is still one of our favourite characters. Inspired by wonderful illustrated stories of Eric Carle, cute polka dots and delicious fruit designs combine in this riotous retro range of fun for all the family.

INVITATION

"Come for a bite" Invite
Send off our "Come to my Party" invitation and matching envelope that replicates the front page of Eric Carle's book - there will be no doubt that this party is about the very hungry caterpillar!

DECORATION

Caterpillar Canopy
For an effective display, blow up our "Very Hungry caterpillar balloons". Using double-sided tape stick balloons together, to look like caterpillars. Alternate green and yellow, and save a red one for the head. Out of coloured cardboard cut little brown feet, black feelers and yellow large circles and small green circles to go on top for eyes. Then all you need is one little green nose and your caterpillar is perfect for displaying on the table, on a counter or using fishing line and prestik your ceiling!

Make your own Caterpillar
If the guests are older, you may wish to let each of them make their own caterpillar out of balloons and paper as a party activity, and they will be the perfect favour for them to take home and decorate their bedrooms!

String up our Hungry Caterpillar Happy Birthday banner too!

DRESS UP

Funky Feelers
Make caterpillar feelers for each guest attending the party, they are super easy to do. Opt for bright colour products and if you are short of time buy a couple of our cone party hats with the Very Hungry Caterpillar motif.

Beautiful Butterfly
Take a look at our Halloween Good Newsletter - Issue 3 for instructions on how to make fairy wings, you may wish to make butterfly ones too!

Fun Feelers

MATERIALS
Alice band x 1
Pipe Cleaners x 2
Pom poms x 2
Hot glue gun and glue

DIRECTIONS
Using the hot glue gun, glue a pom pom onto each pipe cleaner.
Wind each pipe cleaner to the top left and right of the Alice band.

TABLE

Cover, napkin, plate and cup - done!
A table done in minutes, and looks amazing; need we say more. See our online shop for all these items.

MENU

Hungry?
Serve food and drinks inspired by the book itself:

Suggested Menu
Fruit Kebabs: watermelon, strawberries, pears, oranges, plums and apples
Cubed cheese, gherkins, sausages and salami on toothpicks
Mini pies
Chocolate Cake Slices or Brownies
Cupcakes
Lollipops
Ice Cream Cones
Apple and Orange Fruit Juice

Cut up fruit and place in our Hungry Caterpillar Cupcake wrappers.
Decorate all food choices with our Hungry Caterpillar Food picks.

Make green cupcakes and one red cupcake, arrange in the shape of a caterpillar. Decorate with our Cake Candles.

FUN AND GAMES

Story Time
Once everyone has arrived, sit everyone down for a quick story time. Not only will this give an opportunity for everyone to get acquainted but everyone can then be familiar with the story and therefore enjoy the other games to follow.

Board Game
Eric Carle's much loved character comes to life in this game of counting, colour recognition and contrasts. Contains game board, 4 game pieces, 40 food pieces, spinner and instructions. Age 3+. Players 2-4. Available online at amazon.com and local toy stores.

Colour In Time
Print this original colour in picture and have everyone colour theirs in. Peg these up on a clothesline for everyone to see. Available on our website at GOODTIMES/DOWNLOADS.

Play Time
Buy play dough in as many colours as you can and have the kids make up as many items as they can from the story: the caterpillar, leaves, butterfly, all the food etc.

Painting Time
Dress each child in an old t-shirt or a painting apron and have them fold a piece of paper in half that already has an outline of a butterfly drawn on. Instruct the kids to paint the butterfly in many colours on one side of the folded piece of paper. Fold the paper in half and rub. Open and reveal how the pattern is duplicated on the other side.

FAVOURS

Fill our kiddies loot bags with bubbles, lollipops, thank you cards, party horns, sticker sheets, and button badges.